Staying Safe in an Staying Safe in an Agriculture Agriculture WorkplaceWorkplace

David W. SmithFarm Safety Programs

Texas Cooperative ExtensionTexas A&M University System

What makes What makes agriculture work agriculture work dangerous?dangerous? EnvironmentEnvironment Personal factorsPersonal factors Work activitiesWork activities Social, economic and political Social, economic and political

factorsfactors

Environmental FactorsEnvironmental Factors

WeatherWeather Work sites overlap with residence, officeWork sites overlap with residence, office Delayed response of emergency serviceDelayed response of emergency service Isolation from othersIsolation from others Difficult to maintain good personal Difficult to maintain good personal

hygienehygiene Hazards and exposures not monitored Hazards and exposures not monitored

(noise, vibration, lighting, dusts, etc.)(noise, vibration, lighting, dusts, etc.)

Personal FactorsPersonal Factors

Young children frequently exposed Young children frequently exposed to hazards beyond their to hazards beyond their understandingunderstanding

Senior workers continue working Senior workers continue working despite physical limitationsdespite physical limitations

Work sometimes pushes physical Work sometimes pushes physical limitationslimitations

Routine medical surveillance Routine medical surveillance uncommonuncommon

Work Activity FactorsWork Activity Factors

Long work hoursLong work hours Erratic work paceErratic work pace Irregular work routineIrregular work routine Trade learned by observation and Trade learned by observation and

experienceexperience Work activities dependent on Work activities dependent on

uncertainty of weatheruncertainty of weather

Social, Political, and Social, Political, and Economic FactorsEconomic Factors Day care often not an optionDay care often not an option Absence of health and safety Absence of health and safety

regulationsregulations Long-held cultural belief that little Long-held cultural belief that little

can be done to improve safetycan be done to improve safety Safety attitude stems from culture Safety attitude stems from culture

and outcome of experience and outcome of experience performing dangerous activitiesperforming dangerous activities

Who is at risk of Who is at risk of injury?injury? Co-workersCo-workers VisitorsVisitors Family membersFamily members SubcontractorsSubcontractors Farm animals and wildlifeFarm animals and wildlife

What are the dangers?What are the dangers?

TractorsTractors Machinery and Machinery and

implementsimplements LivestockLivestock ElectricityElectricity ChemicalsChemicals FiresFires

Ponds and open Ponds and open water bodieswater bodies

Sun exposureSun exposure Material storage Material storage

facilitiesfacilities Manure pitsManure pits ATVsATVs

Tractor HazardsTractor Hazards

OverturnsOverturns Runover incidentsRunover incidents Highway accidentsHighway accidents FallsFalls Contact with other objectsContact with other objects

Tractor OverturnsTractor Overturns

Accounts for over Accounts for over half of all tractor half of all tractor fatalitiesfatalities

Occurs when the Occurs when the tractor’s center of tractor’s center of gravity falls gravity falls outside of it’s outside of it’s base of stabilitybase of stability

Includes both side Includes both side and rear rolloversand rear rollovers

Physics of Tractor Physics of Tractor StabilityStability

Side OverturnSide Overturn

Rear OverturnRear Overturn

Preventing Tractor Preventing Tractor Overturn InjuryOverturn Injury Drive at appropriate Drive at appropriate

speedsspeeds Lock brake pedals Lock brake pedals

together when on together when on highwayhighway

Set wheel tread as Set wheel tread as wide as possiblewide as possible

Stay away from Stay away from steep slopessteep slopes

Don’t drive on soft Don’t drive on soft shouldersshoulders

Keep front-end Keep front-end loader loads low to loader loads low to the groundthe ground

Drive forward down Drive forward down hills and back up hills and back up hillshills

Equip tractor with Equip tractor with rollover protection rollover protection and wear seatbeltand wear seatbelt

Tractor RunoversTractor Runovers

Major Causes of Major Causes of Runover AccidentsRunover Accidents– Bypassing the Bypassing the

ignition switch to ignition switch to start tractorstart tractor

– Failure to set parking Failure to set parking brake on slopebrake on slope

– Falling or jumping off Falling or jumping off of tractorof tractor

– Failure to Failure to acknowledge acknowledge bystandersbystanders

Preventing Runover Preventing Runover AccidentsAccidents Only start tractor Only start tractor

while sitting in the while sitting in the seatseat

Don’t disable safety Don’t disable safety switchesswitches

Place guard on starter Place guard on starter terminals to prohibit terminals to prohibit bypassingbypassing

Always set parking Always set parking brake before brake before dismountingdismounting

Look for bystanders Look for bystanders before starting tractorbefore starting tractor

Tractor Highway Tractor Highway AccidentsAccidents Most tractor Most tractor

accidents occur:accidents occur:– During planting and During planting and

harvesting seasonsharvesting seasons– Between 3 pm and 6 Between 3 pm and 6

pmpm– Where posted speed Where posted speed

limits are greater than limits are greater than 50 mph50 mph

Most caused because Most caused because of excessive speed of of excessive speed of other vehicles other vehicles

Safe Operation on Safe Operation on HighwaysHighways Make sure the Make sure the

tractor is safe to tractor is safe to drive (steering, drive (steering, brakes, etc.)brakes, etc.)

Make tractor visible Make tractor visible to other drivers to other drivers (SMV emblem, (SMV emblem, flashers, lights)flashers, lights)

Drive at controllable Drive at controllable speedsspeeds

Stay off of soft Stay off of soft shouldersshoulders

Machinery and Machinery and Implement HazardsImplement Hazards PTO and drive shaft entanglementPTO and drive shaft entanglement Contact with rotating partsContact with rotating parts Pull-in injuriesPull-in injuries Crushing injuriesCrushing injuries ElectrocutionElectrocution

PTO EntanglementsPTO Entanglements

Usually occurs when Usually occurs when clothing, hair or clothing, hair or jewelry gets caught jewelry gets caught on bolt of drive on bolt of drive shaftshaft

Results in multiple, Results in multiple, severe injury, loss of severe injury, loss of limb, strangulation, limb, strangulation, and/or deathand/or death

PTO’s turn from 540 PTO’s turn from 540 to 1000 revolutions to 1000 revolutions per minuteper minute

PTO SafetyPTO Safety

Replace all Replace all damaged or missing damaged or missing PTO shields and PTO shields and drive shaft coversdrive shaft covers

Wear tight-fitted Wear tight-fitted clothingclothing

Put up hairPut up hair Remove all jewelryRemove all jewelry Don’t climb over or Don’t climb over or

under drive shaftsunder drive shafts

Other Machinery Other Machinery HazardsHazards Shear and cut pointsShear and cut points Pinch pointsPinch points Wrap pointsWrap points Crush pointsCrush points Free-wheeling Free-wheeling

pointspoints Pull-in pointsPull-in points Springs and chainsSprings and chains Hydraulic systemsHydraulic systems

Machinery SafetyMachinery Safety

Don’t wear loose Don’t wear loose clothing around clothing around moving partsmoving parts

Never reach over or Never reach over or work near rotating work near rotating partsparts

Turn off machinery Turn off machinery before performing before performing maintenancemaintenance

Never rely solely Never rely solely upon a machine’s upon a machine’s hydraulic system to hydraulic system to keep equipment keep equipment suspendedsuspended

Replace all missing Replace all missing and damage shieldsand damage shields

Never place yourself Never place yourself between a tractor between a tractor and implements and implements when hitchingwhen hitching

Never crawl under a Never crawl under a machine or machine or implement without implement without first chocking or first chocking or blockingblocking

Never allow anyone Never allow anyone near a chain when it near a chain when it is under stressis under stress

Livestock HazardsLivestock Hazards

Crushing injuriesCrushing injuries Property damageProperty damage DiseasesDiseases ParasitesParasites

Livestock Livestock ConsiderationsConsiderations VisionVision

– Cattle have near-360-degree panoramic Cattle have near-360-degree panoramic visionvision

– Horses and swine have near-300-degree Horses and swine have near-300-degree field of visionfield of vision

HearingHearing– More sensitive than humansMore sensitive than humans– Loud noises frighteningLoud noises frightening– High-frequency sounds painful.High-frequency sounds painful.

Livestock Livestock ConsiderationsConsiderations TemperamentTemperament

– Each animal has its own personalityEach animal has its own personality– Become uncomfortable when personal Become uncomfortable when personal

space is threatenedspace is threatened– Routine is calmingRoutine is calming

InstinctInstinct– Females become aggressive when Females become aggressive when

offspring are threatenedoffspring are threatened– Males aggressive when herd threatened Males aggressive when herd threatened

and during mating periodand during mating period

Livestock Diseases and Livestock Diseases and ParasitesParasites BrucellosisBrucellosis TetanusTetanus RingwormRingworm SalmonellaSalmonella LeptospirosisLeptospirosis RabiesRabies TrichinosisTrichinosis Lyme DiseaseLyme Disease

Keep vaccinations current Wear boot coverings when on other farms Isolate sick animals from the herd Keep children and visitors away from sick animals

Livestock SafetyLivestock Safety

Maintain a non-Maintain a non-threatening distancethreatening distance

Use a calm voice and Use a calm voice and deliberate movementdeliberate movement

Don’t startle the Don’t startle the animalanimal

Never prod an animal Never prod an animal that has nowhere to gothat has nowhere to go

Don’t be abusiveDon’t be abusive Stay away from Stay away from

newbornsnewborns

Electricity HazardsElectricity Hazards

Contact with overhead transmission Contact with overhead transmission lineslines

Absence of proper groundingAbsence of proper grounding Overloaded circuitsOverloaded circuits Damaged wiringDamaged wiring Missing safety shieldsMissing safety shields Center pivot irrigation systemsCenter pivot irrigation systems Pond pumpsPond pumps

Contact with Power Contact with Power LinesLines Many workers have Many workers have

been electrocuted been electrocuted when moving when moving irrigation pipe (20 irrigation pipe (20 feet sections) and feet sections) and contact overhead contact overhead power linespower lines

Workers also Workers also electrocuted when electrocuted when moving grain augers moving grain augers and when contacting and when contacting power lines with front power lines with front end loadersend loaders

Electrical System Electrical System MaintenanceMaintenance Can you identify Can you identify

any problems?any problems? Metal + Metal +

electricity – electricity – water protection water protection – grounding = an – grounding = an accident waiting accident waiting to happento happen

Extension CordsExtension Cords

Don’t use extension Don’t use extension cords in wet areascords in wet areas

Don’t try to repair Don’t try to repair them, replace themthem, replace them

Don’t use them to tie Don’t use them to tie or secure objectsor secure objects

Never run over cords Never run over cords with vehicleswith vehicles

Unplug cords from Unplug cords from outlets when not in outlets when not in useuse

Chemical HazardsChemical Hazards

Pesticides/herbicidesPesticides/herbicides Anhydrous ammoniaAnhydrous ammonia Water well contaminationWater well contamination FertilizersFertilizers Animal medicinesAnimal medicines

Spraying ChemicalsSpraying Chemicals

Read and follow chemical material safety data sheets Read and follow chemical material safety data sheets (MSDS)(MSDS)

Wear appropriate personal protective equipmentWear appropriate personal protective equipment Follow label instructions for mixing and cleanupFollow label instructions for mixing and cleanup Warn others of your intent to sprayWarn others of your intent to spray Have an emergency plan in placeHave an emergency plan in place

Anhydrous AmmoniaAnhydrous Ammonia

Used as a fertilizer Used as a fertilizer in agriculture and a in agriculture and a coolant in food coolant in food processingprocessing

Stored as a liquid Stored as a liquid under pressureunder pressure

Will freeze-burn skin Will freeze-burn skin upon contactupon contact

Vapors will burn Vapors will burn skin, eyes, and can skin, eyes, and can be fatal at high be fatal at high concentrationsconcentrations

Anhydrous Ammonia Anhydrous Ammonia TheftTheft Key component in Key component in

production of production of methamphetaminesmethamphetamines

Often stolen from Often stolen from temporary storage temporary storage tanks located on tanks located on farms and farms and dealershipsdealerships

Usually stolen in Usually stolen in small quantities, small quantities, multiple times, to multiple times, to avoid detectionavoid detection

Fire HazardsFire Hazards

Fueling and fuel storageFueling and fuel storage Electrical problemsElectrical problems HeatersHeaters Dry, dusty confinement areasDry, dusty confinement areas Hay storageHay storage MachineryMachinery Welders and torchesWelders and torches

Fueling and Fuel Fueling and Fuel StorageStorage Store fuel tanks at least Store fuel tanks at least

40 feet from buildings 40 feet from buildings and barnsand barns

Ground storage tanks in Ground storage tanks in case of direct lightning case of direct lightning strikesstrikes

Never fuel a hot tractor Never fuel a hot tractor or vehicleor vehicle

Post no-smoking signs Post no-smoking signs that are clearly visiblethat are clearly visible

Erect barriers around Erect barriers around tanks to prevent tanks to prevent vehicles from running vehicles from running into theminto them

Hay Baling and Hay Baling and StackingStacking Allow cut hay to dry Allow cut hay to dry

sufficiently before balingsufficiently before baling Uncured hay will Uncured hay will

increase cause increase cause temperature to increase temperature to increase in bales or hay stacks in bales or hay stacks resulting in spontaneous resulting in spontaneous combustioncombustion

Provide adequate Provide adequate ventilation around hay ventilation around hay stacks to avoid stacks to avoid overheatingoverheating

Keep hay stacks at least Keep hay stacks at least 100 feet from buildings 100 feet from buildings and don’t park tractors and don’t park tractors near stacksnear stacks

Tractor FiresTractor Fires

Oil, grease, dirty rags, and trash on Oil, grease, dirty rags, and trash on machinery can result in devastation.machinery can result in devastation.

Be sure to grease and oil machinery on a Be sure to grease and oil machinery on a regular basis.regular basis.

Material Storage Material Storage HazardsHazards EngulfmentEngulfment AsphyxiationAsphyxiation SuffocationSuffocation Falls from elevated surfacesFalls from elevated surfaces Contact with conveyance Contact with conveyance

machinerymachinery

Grain Bin EngulfmentGrain Bin Engulfment

Grain inside a bin Grain inside a bin can form a crust on can form a crust on top, that when top, that when broken can engulf a broken can engulf a person in a matter of person in a matter of secondsseconds

Never enter a grain Never enter a grain bin without proper bin without proper lifeline supportlifeline support

Always let coworkers Always let coworkers know when you must know when you must enter a grain binenter a grain bin

AsphyxiationAsphyxiation

Stored silage will Stored silage will release toxic gases release toxic gases during the drying during the drying processprocess

Opening the top of a Opening the top of a silo from the top silo from the top could result in could result in asphyxiation and asphyxiation and cause you to fallcause you to fall

Always wear proper Always wear proper respiratory equipmentrespiratory equipment

Other DangersOther Dangers

ATVsATVs PondsPonds Irrigation canalsIrrigation canals Uncapped wellsUncapped wells Sun exposureSun exposure HeatHeat Snakes, spiders, bees, etc.Snakes, spiders, bees, etc.

ATV SafetyATV Safety

Never carry extra Never carry extra riders on an ATV not riders on an ATV not designed for designed for passengerspassengers

Attend an ATV rider Attend an ATV rider safety coursesafety course

Know the limitation Know the limitation of the ATVof the ATV

Always wear a Always wear a helmet, long pants, helmet, long pants, gloves, and riding gloves, and riding bootsboots

Ponds and Open WaterPonds and Open Water

Never swim in an Never swim in an irrigation canal or irrigation canal or unfamiliar pondunfamiliar pond

Post no-swimming Post no-swimming signssigns

Install a safety Install a safety post with rope and post with rope and flotation device at flotation device at the edge of pondsthe edge of ponds

Sun ProtectionSun Protection

Wear a wide-Wear a wide-brimmed hat and brimmed hat and long sleeve shirtlong sleeve shirt

Wear sunscreenWear sunscreen Drink plenty of Drink plenty of

waterwater Perform difficult Perform difficult

tasks in the tasks in the morning or morning or eveningevening

Things that bite, sting, Things that bite, sting, and cause rashesand cause rashes

Rattlesnake

Yellow jacket

Black widow

Mosquito

For more information For more information on these topics visit on these topics visit

the the Agricultural Safety and Agricultural Safety and

HealthHealth web site @ web site @

http://agsafety.tamu.eduhttp://agsafety.tamu.edu